Veterans' memorial receives grant

Thursday

Jan 30, 2014 at 12:20 PMJan 30, 2014 at 3:11 PM

By Andy BarrandTwitter: @abarrandHDN

LITCHFIELD — The Veterans' Memorial project in Litchfield has recently gained momentum after receiving a $5,000 grant from the Hillsdale County Community Foundation.Diane Smith, fundraiser coordinator said the grant was a wonderful surprise."It is such an honor to have the foundation believe that the project is worthwhile," she said. "We have been very fortunate in also receiving generous donations from individuals, as well as local businesses and local industries."The memorial project was started last summer after a group of residents approached the Litchfield City Council about using Riblet Park for the memorial.With the recent grant the group currently has $63,000 towards the project.The memorial will feature seven monuments one for each branch of the military and one to honor World War II veterans has a cost of $130,000. The monument will also feature flower boxes and an arch way with the words "We Will Remember" in front of the monument.The memorial will honor all veterans not just those from Litchfield.The committee is currently selling customized bricks which will be placed in the plaza part of the memorial. Bricks may be donated from any state to remember a loved one, or just with the donors name, 4x8 bricks are $100 and 8x8 bricks for $200."This part of the project has been well received," Smith said. "All of us connected with the memorial project would like to thank everyone for their support; we are moving forward, and it is exciting to work towards the actual fruition of the plan."Anyone interested in buying a brick or being part of the committee can do so by contacting Smith at 517-542-3222 or donations can be sent to PO Box 435, Litchfield, MI, 49252.Those businesses donating to the project include The Purdy Memorial, MRA, Metaldyne, Tenneco, The UAW Local 373 of Metaldyne and Warren Financial.